About AFCWA
The American Football Coaches' Wives Association (AFCWA) is a national organization that was formed in 1989 to work in conjunction with the American Football Coaches Association.
Our Mission is to provide camaraderie, support, information, and service to the wives of American Football Coaches. Wives of these great competitors have come together in an effort to support and serve in our own communities and across the country. Whether it is the NFL, NCAA, JUCO, NAIA or countless high school football programs around the country - we share a common bond that brings us together.
We pride ourselves on service and have come to rely on one another for support that is not easily understood by those outside the profession. Being the wife of a football coach can be a challenging "position" to play, a challenging "helmet" to wear and a challenging life to lead. It is filled with excitement and intense emotion at every turn.
Competition abounds on the football field, but within our organization it is all about teamwork. Team identity, coaches' salaries, level of play or television exposure take a backseat to real life issues. The camaraderie erases all divisional lines that exist in the national polls and rankings.

Meet Our President: Rebekah Provost-Emmons
Dear AFCWA Sisters,
It is a true honor to serve as your 2026 President. I am especially grateful to work alongside an incredible Board of Directors who pour so much of themselves into this organization. We are, in every sense, a team—we don’t just serve alongside one another; we serve for each other.
For those I haven't met yet, my name is Rebekah Provost-Emmons. I’ve been a coach’s wife for nearly 23 years. My husband, Jay, and I live in beautiful Franklin, Tennessee, with our two boys, Jace and Myer, and our dogs, Vader and Naya. Jay is in his fifth year of coaching and teaching at Page High School, and we absolutely love our community and football family. (LET’S GO PAGE PATRIOTS!) Between my career as a social worker and serving as the high school soccer booster club president for my sons’ team, my life is a whirlwind—but I wouldn't have it any other way!
If you’ve been around AFCWA for a while, you know this isn’t just an organization; it’s a family. It’s where we swap survival stories, laugh until we cry, and turn strangers into lifelong sisters. Stepping into this role is a "pinch-me" moment, and I am ready to give everything I have to make this community even stronger.
Words can’t adequately describe the love and intention our Past President, Nedra Malone, poured into this organization. Nedra led with her heart and her love for AFCWA, and I am forever grateful for everything she did behind the scenes. She has given so much of her time, energy, and talent over the past many years, and I am honored to have had a front row seat to her presidency. I am thankful to call her a mentor and a dear friend.
So, what’s next? While connection is our heartbeat, my goal for 2026 is to strengthen AFCWA from the inside out. We are focusing on the member experience—looking at our processes and finding ways to make our outreach more meaningful all year long. I want the sisterhood to feel like a year-round celebration that culminates in our annual convention. (And yes, we’re already planning for Indianapolis in February 2027!)
I want to personally connect with as many of you as possible. Please reach out to me at afcwapresident@gmail.com. I love new ideas and am always open to your thoughts on how we can make your membership experience even better.
Be sure to stay tuned to our social media for upcoming virtual events. Let’s make this big sisterhood feel like a small-town front porch, complete with sweet tea and lemonade!
Cheers to the women who live this life—who do the impossible "in-season" and out, who love their bonus sons as their own, and who show up with passion every single day.
May we know them, and may we be them.
With love and gratitude,
Rebekah Provost-Emmons
President, American Football Coaches Wives Association

2026-2027 Board of Directors

Trustees
Founding Mothers and Trustees
These women founded AFCWA and currently serve as trustees.
*Served as President
Patti Edwards*
(Deceased Feb. 13, 2026)
Jackie Harbaugh*
Carol James
Ellie Mallory*
Donell Teaff
Dorothy Faye McClendon
(Deceased Jan. 14, 2015)
Meet your 2026-2027 Board of Directors
This amazing group of women works hard all year to provide the AFCWA Membership with an excellent experience year after year during the annual AFCWA convention. We hope you know how much they love serving this amazing community!

Rebekah Provost-Emmons
"I believe in the mission of AFCWA, and I am honored to be part of an organization that brings connection. Only those who live this life can truly understand it, and I love how we lift each other up and straighten each other's crowns."

Kallie Finley
"Since joining, I have met so many amazing women and their coaches and have formed friendships that have enriched my life in so many ways."

Kim Bonta
"I joined AFCWA to extend my network to include wives who are familiar with the coaching lifestyle. My family and non-coaching friends do not understand the demands of this volatile industry and can be quick to judge. This organization allows us to create long standing friendships with other women who get it and are willing to offer support."

Savannah Smith
"AFCWA is an amazing organization because it put you in contact with a group of like minded women. We encourage each other and build each other up. You make friends with people from all over the country! Having this support system is truly such a blessing. You have the best of the best always in your corner and always cheering you on!"

Nedra Malone
"I joined AFCWA because I wanted to meet wives who have successfully navigated life as a "coach's wife." I also wanted to help newer coach's wives navigate hills and valleys experienced on this road and share the 'tricks of the trade' with them."

Natasha Cooper
"I joined AFCWA to connect with and encourage women walking through the football journey, trusting God in every season.I’m honored to serve on the board and be part of a community where no one walks alone."

Ayana Corbin Minor
"I joined the AFCWA Board of Directors to give back to an organization that has given me so much. Being in community with women who truly understand the unique demands of this [sometimes wacky] lifestyle is invaluable. The programming has provided me with actionable ideas that have directly impacted and elevated my coach's program. I’m honored to support the next generation of women in our community and pay that blessing forward."

Rebecca Davidyock
"I’ve been a coach’s wife for almost 4 years now. I’ll be honest, those years weren’t always easy. I wanted to be a part of AFCWA because it truly is a sisterhood. These women, no matter the level they are at, are always there for you. Even though we are all at different places and in different parts of the country, we are still there for each other and just a phone call away. The love and support from AFCWA is unmatched."

Gina Godding
"Our Defensive Coordinator introduced me to AFCWA, and while attending my first convention with his wife, I found AFCWA’s mission of promoting camaraderie, offering support, and the providing of information to be what I had been searching for."

Kimiko Griffin
"The life of a football wife is intense, extremely demanding, and filled with rewards—but it’s also a lifestyle that requires a village that "gets it". I joined AFCWA to equip women not only to endure this coaching lifestyle but, through encouraging camaraderie, education and support, helping them to flourish within it! When a coach wife is seen and supported, the entire family is strengthened. When families are stable, coaches are better positioned to pursue their God-given calling to use this incredible sport, to mentor and empower young men."

Lacey Hoffman
"Since joining AFCWA, I have met so many wonderful women who have supported me in the journey of being a coach's wife. It is amazing to be around women and other families who are facing similar challenges and can help offer support and guidance through the journey."

Kyla Marshall
"I joined AFCWA because of the incredible community of women who truly understand the unique joys and challenges of the coaching life. Being part of AFCWA reminds me that none of us are doing this alone and we have support, friendship, and encouragement for any season of life that comes our way."

Katelyn Montes-Perkins
"I joined AFCWA because I wanted to be part of a supportive community that understands the unique challenges of being a wife of a football coach. The organization's mission to provide valuable information and service resonates with me, as it creates a space for connection, understanding and growth— helping us navigate the challenges of our roles while fostering lasting friendships."

Olivia Raby
"I joined the AFCWA to build connections with coaches' wives that know how crazy this lifestyle can be. AFCWA means an amazing support system that is in your corner during the great seasons AND the hard, lonely seasons."

Stephanie Scott
"AFCWA is a lifeline in this roller coaster ride we call the Coach Wife life. From the moment I walked into the Hospitality Room at Convention for the first time to now, years later, I have been incredibly welcomed, served, and supported."

Angie Stugart
"I joined AFCWA to be more a part of my husband’s coaching career, but since realized there’s so much more... a huge support system of coaches' wives who help each other navigate their way through the joys and trials of the coaching world. I’ve been blessed to meet so many incredible women and develop lifelong friends along the way."

Amanda Tobia
"Finding AFCWA has been a game changer for me! It has helped me see that I'm not alone and there are so many other amazing and strong women out there who experience this life too. The football life has its struggles, but also comes with amazing memories and experiences that I'm so grateful to have. Meeting new lifelong friends through the AFCWA are among the favorites, and I am so excited to be able to serve on the Board to continue the work of helping football wives find community."
Are you interested in serving on the AFCWA Board of Directors?
We will begin accepting applications for new Board of Director members in October 2025. Must be a member to apply.
More details coming soon!
Past Presidents and Trustees
These women served AFCWA as president and currently serve as trustees.
1989-1991
Ellie Mallory
1991-1992
Susan Keeling
1992-1993
Jackie Harbaugh
1993-1994
Pat Kane
1994-1995
Pat Edwards
1995-1996
Liz Mullins
1996-1997
LuAnn DeBerry
1997-1998
Judy Tate Simmons (Gregory)
1998-1999
Cathy Hofher
(Deceased Nov. 30, 2021)
1999-2000
Maria Daniels
2000-2001
Donna Shaffner
2001-2002
Darlene Johnson
2002-2003
Mary Barnett
2003-2004
BeeBee Cervino
2004-2005
Nancy Cubit
2005-2006
Carol Tjeerdsma
2006-2007
Vicki Pinkel
2007-2008
Mary Ramseyer
2008-2009
Margaret Moore
2009-2010
Beth Boyd
2010-2011
Kathy Dudzinski
2011-2012
Tracee Norris
2012-2013
Holly Shealy
2013-2014
Sandy Montgomery
2014-2015
Sally Shannon
2015-2016
Katie Crowe Wood
2016-2017
Cindy Johnson
2017-2018
Jeanne Etheridge
2018-2019
Kristi Maloney
2019-2020
Mesha Mathis
2020-2021
Cynthia Griffing
2021-2022
Nicole Kaklis
2022-2023
Lindsay Elliott
2023-2024
Brittany Sloan
2024-2025
Natasha Adams
2025-2026
Nedra Malone
Lifetime Designations
Kelly Smith
(Lifetime Advisor)
Sandy Atkins
(Lifetime Member)
